Who exactly are the Royal Marines Commandos and what makes them so special? Why do so many other countries regard the Royal Marines as being the finest soldiers in the world? How do the Corps manage to maintain such high standards in the face of continuing financial cutbacks? What sort of man wants to become a Royal Marine, and what sort of man is ultimately selected? In this completely updated edition, Nigel Foster provides a contemporary account of life with the Corps. He also explains why amphibious operations have become such a cornerstone of British and American strategic thinking, and examines the Special Boat Service, considered by many to be a more extreme and effective unit than the SAS. He also explains the true meaning of the Commando spirit and why the Green Beret is so highly prized by all those who have been privileged to wear it.